Xavier Ateneo reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development through the Social Involvement & Advocacy Summit held on 7 May 2024, as part of the array of activities featured in the occasion of the Social Development Week 2024. Organized by the Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP), the Summit was participated by various Xavier Ateneo student organizations, faculty, formators, and community partners, showcasing projects that highlight the institution's dedication to holistic education and community engagement.
[In Photo] Awarding of certificates and tokens to the student presenters for the SIA Summit, led by Dexter Lo,
VP for Social Development, and Mr Nestor Banuag, Director for Social Involvement and Advocacy Program
Keziah Loucille Mallorca, SIAP Formator, facilitated the program and introduced the dynamic projects initiated by the Xavier Ateneo units and student organizations. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Engr Dexter Lo, Xavier Ateneo Vice President for Social Development, who emphasized on the importance of service beyond the classroom. He encouraged students to continue their engagement in service and advocacy projects even after graduation, underscoring the university's vision for students to positively influence and inspire others. VP Lo emphasized that the university’s advocacy engagements not only deepen their sense of social responsibility, but also respond to society’s greater societal challenges and gaps.
Fr Mars Tan SJ, Xavier University President, delivered a heartfelt message emphasizing the profound importance of forging meaningful social relationships in education. He articulated that Xavier Ateneo students are not only formed academically but are also provided with opportunities to deepen their social awareness and social responsibility through forging relationships with neighbors and the broader community. Fr Tan's poignant quote encapsulated the spirit of the summit: "How can you help others if you are not interested in them - what their life is, their plights? It means going out of one’s self." This sentiment resonated throughout the presentations, underlining the imperative for genuine engagement and empathy in social involvement.
[In Photo] Rey Timothy Englisa, President of the Xavier University Psychology Society (XUPS), presented the
activities and impacts of their advocacy engagement, Project DUYOG, implemented with the partner community
Philippine Island Kids International Foundation, Inc (PIKIFI).
The Summit featured a series of impactful presentations, each showcasing Xavier University's commitment to social development. Joanna Camille Aparece of the Xavier Ateneo Central Student Government through its Department of Mission and Social Involvement (XU CSG-DMSI) presented the highlights of their advocacy engagement, the PAG-ILA 2023: Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan, a fora series featuring the candidates running for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson during the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Another presentation was made by Rey Timothy Englisa, President of the Xavier University Psychology Society (XUPS), on the activities and impacts of their community engagement with the partner community, Philippine Island Kids International Foundation, Inc (PIKIFI) through the Project DUYOG. The project included a donation drive and giving of hygiene kits to children under the care of PIKIFI, along with psychosocial activities. Lourdes Simone del Rosario and Danica Kerstien Sing of the Ateneo Diplomatic Corps presented the highlights of their community engagement Turning Miles into Meals: Color Fun Run, a fundraising event aimed to support the XU Help for Undernourished Kids’ Abilities and Development (XU HUKAD). The proceeds of the fun run were used to provide one-month long supplementary feeding for identified undernourished grade 2 pupils of Bulua Central School under the HUKAD Project.
The Summit further featured meaningful service engagements, to wit: community and immersion engagements under Ateneo Guided Apostolate in Pastoral Engagements (AGAPE) component of the course Theology 2: Medical Mission and Profiling Health Mission at Old Zayas Landfill, Immersion Program at the Cogon Market, and City-wide Coastal Clean-up; Lamok Likayan, Kaugalingon ug Komunidad Protektahan, an advocacy project for Brgy Lanao, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, facilitated by the School of Medicine; Ateneo Crop Science Society (ACROSS) Passion Project: Hydroponics, an advocacy project on food security through cultivation of home-scale hydroponics for residents of Oro Habitat for Humanity Inc (OHHI), Calaanan, Brgy Canitoan; and LAMDAG of ACT enrichment classes for children residing in Talongan Village and OHHI in Brgy Canitoan, facilitated under the School of Education’s Arrupe Educational Center (SOE-AEC).
[In Photo] Andre Robert Daba, Head of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SACDEV) of the Office of
Student Affairs (OSA), gave his impression on the engagements presented during the SIA Summit.
The Summit also highlighted responses and impressions on the various engagements presented. Reflecting on the summit, Adam Guanzon, XU-CSG President, emphasized the arduous nature of project implementation and underscored the pivotal role of community commitment. Similarly, Andre Daba, Head of Student Activities and Leadership Development (SACDEV), highlighted the enduring spirit of altruism among students, stating, "The good spirit continues to inspire us all in working for others. Bring with you your stories of discomfort, real encounters and conversation." In response, Chester Cotacte, incoming XU-CSG President, acknowledged the post-pandemic leadership challenges but found inspiration in the shared narratives, affirming the vibrancy of student leadership. Cotacte called for a qualitative shift in approach and urged attendees to reignite the student leadership journey, emphasizing the transformative potential of projects in building a just, fair, and humane society.
The Social Involvement and Advocacy Summit concluded with a profound sense of commitment and purpose. SIAP Director Nestor Banuag Jr expressed his gratitude to the students, faculty, and partners engaged in social involvement and advocacy projects, emphasizing that the diverse initiatives presented during the Summit reflects the power of community engagement and collective action, further encouraging the Xavier Ateneo community to partake in the mission of social development. The Summit stands as a testament to the university's dedication to social responsibility and its unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in society.